Method and electronic apparatus for optimizing bandwidth utilization gtp-u data packet transmission

ABSTRACT

A method for communication by a source general packet radio service tunnelling protocol user (GTP-U) node in a wireless network is provided. The method includes receiving at least one data packet from at least one user equipment (UE), determining whether the at least one received data packet is at least one guaranteed bit rate (GBR) data packet or at least one non-GBR data packet, if the at least one received data packet is the at least one GBR data packet, transmitting the at least one received GBR data packet to at least one target GTP-U node, if the at least one received data packet is the at least one non-GBR data packet, storing the at least one received non-GBR data packet into a buffer before transmitting to the at least one target GTP-U node, and transmitting the at least one received non-GBR data packet to the at least one target GTP-U node based on a maximum segment size (MSS) of the buffer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under§ 365(c), of an International application No. PCT/KR2022/005407, filedon Apr. 14, 2022, which is based on and claims the benefit of an IndianProvisional patent application number 202141017378, filed on Apr. 14,2021, in the Indian Intellectual Property Office, and an Indian Completepatent application number 202141017378, filed on Apr. 12, 2022, in theIndian Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to a wireless network. More particularly, thedisclosure relates to a method and an electronic apparatus foroptimizing bandwidth utilization during general packet radio servicetunnelling protocol user (GTP-U) data packet transmission in thewireless network.

2. Description of Related Art

In a cellular network, a general packet radio services (GPRS) tunnellingprotocol-uplink (GTP-U) protocol is used for data packet transmissionbetween GTP-U node(s) (e.g., serving gateway (SGW), packet data network(PDN) gateway (PGW), SGW-user plane function (SGW-U), PGW-U, E-UTRANNode B (eNodeB), a user plane function (UPF), gNodeB) according to a 3′generation partnership project (3GPP) proposed architecture and protocolstack. According to the GTP-U protocol, a tunnel endpoint identifier(TEID) is assigned to each node for a single protocol data unit (PDU)session of a user equipment (UE). The data packet at every node for theUE's PDU session is identified using the Tunnel Endpoint Identifier(TEID).

As per data packet transmission mechanism of the related art, when thedata packet from the UE travels between the GTP-U nodes, then a GTP-Uheader is added over a payload by the GTP-U node(s) regardless ofwhether the data packet is uplink or downlink. The data packet from oneto ten thousand UEs may be sent across the GTP-U node(s) at the sametime. Regardless of whether the data packet is a low latency data packet(e.g., a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) data packet) or a high latency datapacket (e.g., non-GBR data packet), as soon as the GTP-U node(s)receives the payload, the GTP-U node(s) adds the GTP-U header andtransmits the data packet to a peer GTP-U node(s)/entity.

For enhanced user experience, the GTP-U node(s) must send the lowlatency data packet as soon as received from the UE and/or another GTP-Unode(s). However, the same mechanism is not required for the highlatency data packet. The data packet transmission mechanism of therelated art employs the same mechanism for both low latency data packetand high latency data packet.

For example, if the data packet belongs to a low latency application(e.g., voice application), then the data packet needs to be sent withoutany delay and the data packet transmission mechanism of the related artis the best-suited mechanism without any buffering of the data packet.The data packet transmission mechanism of the related art employs thesame mechanism for a high latency application (e.g., an Internet surfingapplication), the data packet sends without buffering, whichunderutilizes a bandwidth of the cellular network. Therefore, anintelligent transmission mechanism for the high latency application isrequired, in which the GTP-U node(s) optimizes bandwidth utilizationwhile avoiding needless immediate data packet transmission for the highlatency application to conserve cellular network resources.

Thus, it is desired to provide a useful alternative for optimizingbandwidth during GTP-U data packet transmission in the cellular network.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to optimizebandwidth utilization during general packet radio service tunnellingprotocol user (GTP-U) data packet transmission in a wireless network byintelligently transmitting a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) data packetand/or a non-GBR data packet. A source GTP-U node immediately transmitsthe GBR data packet to a target GTP-U node and the source GTP-U nodetransmits the non-GBR data packet based on either a maximum segment size(MSS) for each buffer of the source GTP-U node or a timer for eachbuffer of the source GTP-U node. The source GTP-U node includes aplurality of buffers, where each buffer corresponds to the target GTP-Unode. The buffer size is calculated by, for example, Tabnet (DNN model)or any gradient boosting machine learning mechanism and MSS condition isenforced on maximum buffer size. As a result, the GTP-U node(s)optimizes the bandwidth utilization while avoiding needless immediatedata packet transmission for the non-GBR data packet (e.g., high latencyapplication) and conserves cellular network resources.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to combine multiple GTP-U packets(e.g., a non-GBR data packet) in a single GTP-U packet to avoidconsumption of an Internet protocol (IP) header and a user datagramprotocol (UDP) header repeatedly when the MSS is less than a pre-definedvalue (e.g., 1500 bytes).

Another aspect of the disclosure is to buffer the non-GBR data packet atthe source GTP-U node which needs to be transmitted towards the sametarget GTP-U node based on the MSS or the timer. The source GTP-U nodethen sends the non-GBR data packet when a size of a combined GTP-Upacket (i.e., buffered non-GBR data packet of the related art andcurrently received non-GBR data packet) meets/crosses the MSS or thetimer meets/crosses a pre-defined maximum timer value. The pre-definedmaximum timer value for buffering the non-GBR data packet is determinedby an artificial intelligence (AI) model/machine learning (ML).

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method forcommunication by a source general packet radio service tunnellingprotocol user (GTP-U) node in a wireless network is provided. The methodincludes receiving at least one data packet from at least one userequipment (UE), determining whether the at least one received datapacket is at least one guaranteed bit rate (GBR) data packet or at elastone non-GBR data packet, if the at least one received data packet is theat least one GBR data packet, transmitting the at least one received GBRdata packet to at least one target GTP-U node, if the at least onereceived data packet is the at least one non-GBR data packet, storingthe at least one received non-GBR data packet into a buffer beforetransmitting to the at least one target GTP-U node, and transmitting theat least one received non-GBR data packet to the at least one targetGTP-U node based on a maximum segment size (MSS) of the buffer.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a source GTP-U nodefor communication in a wireless network is provided. The source GTP-Unode includes a memory, and at least one processor coupled to thememory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to, receive atleast one data packet from at least one user equipment (UE), determinewhether the at least one received data packet is at least one guaranteedbit rate (GBR) data packet or at least one non-GBR data packet, if theat least one received data packet is the at least one GBR data packet,transmit the at least one received GBR data packet to at least onetarget GTP-U node, if the at least one received data packet is the atleast one non-GBR data packet, store the at least one received non-GBRdata packet into a buffer before transmitting to the at least one targetGTP-U node, and transmit the at least one received non-GBR data packetto the at least one target GTP-U node based on a maximum segment size(MSS) of the buffer.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium configured to store one or morecomputer programs including instructions that, when executed by at leastone processor of a source general packet radio service tunnellingprotocol user (GTP-U) node in a wireless network, cause the GTP-U nodeto perform operations is provided. The operations includes receiving atleast one data packet from at least one user equipment (UE), determiningwhether the at least one received data packet is at least one guaranteedbit rate (GBR) data packet or at least one non-GBR data packet, if theat least one received data packet is the at least one GBR data packet,transmitting the at least one received GBR data packet to at least onetarget GTP-U node, if the at least one received data packet is the atleast one non-GBR data packet, storing the at least one received non-GBRdata packet into a buffer before transmitting to the at least one targetGTP-U node, and transmitting the at least one received non-GBR datapacket to the at least one target GTP-U node based on a maximum segmentsize (MSS) of the buffer.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a general packet radio service tunnellingprotocol user (GTP-U) data packet transmission mechanism according tothe related art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a system block diagram of a source GTP-U node foroptimizing bandwidth utilization during a GTP-U data packet transmissionin a wireless network according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for optimizing bandwidthutilization during a GTP-U data packet transmission in a wirelessnetwork according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a protocol stack of a GTP-U packet for optimizingbandwidth utilization during a GTP-U data packet transmission in thewireless network according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The same reference numerals are used to represent the same elementsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of thedisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of thedisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

In addition, the various embodiments described herein are notnecessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined withone or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” asused herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated.The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate anunderstanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practicedand to further enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

As is traditional in the field, embodiments may be described andillustrated in terms of blocks which carry out a described function orfunctions. These blocks, which may be referred to herein as managers,units, modules, hardware components, or the like, are physicallyimplemented by analog and/or digital circuits, such as logic gates,integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, memory circuits,passive electronic components, active electronic components, opticalcomponents, hardwired circuits and the like, and may optionally bedriven by firmware. The circuits may, for example, be embodied in one ormore semiconductor chips, or on substrate supports, such as printedcircuit boards and the like. The circuits constituting a block may beimplemented by dedicated hardware, or by a processor (e.g., one or moreprogrammed microprocessors and associated circuitry), or by acombination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions of the blockand a processor to perform other functions of the block. Each block ofthe embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interactingand discrete blocks without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Similarly, the blocks of the embodiments may be physically combined intomore complex blocks without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand varioustechnical features and it should be understood that the embodimentspresented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such,the disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations,equivalents, and substitutes in addition to those which are particularlyset out in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second,or the like, may be used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generallyonly used to distinguish one element from another.

Throughout this disclosure, the terms “data packet”, “packet data” and“GTP-U data packet” are used interchangeably and mean the same.Throughout this disclosure, the terms “network”, “wireless network” and“cellular network” are used interchangeably and mean the same.Throughout this disclosure, the terms “node”, “UE”, “network entity” and“electronic apparatus” are used interchangeably and mean the same.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrates a general packet radio service tunnellingprotocol user (GTP-U) data packet transmission mechanism according tothe related art.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, general packet radio service (GPRS)tunnelling protocol (GTP) is a tunnelling protocol defined by 3GPPstandards to carry GPRS packets within third-generation(3G)/fourth-generation (4G) cellular networks. The GTP is used toestablish a GTP tunnel between a serving gateway (S-GW) and packet datanetwork (PDN) Gateway (P-GW), and mobility management entity (MME) for auser equipment (UE). The GTP tunnel is a channel between two GPRSsupport nodes through which two hosts exchange data. The S-GW receivespackets from the UE and encapsulates them within a GTP header (10)before forwarding them to the P-GW through the GTP tunnel. When the P-GWreceives the packets, it decapsulates the packets and forwards thepackets to an external host. The GTP includes the following separateprotocols.

GTP-C: Performs signaling between the S-GW and P-GW in core GPRS networkto activate and deactivate subscriber sessions, adjust a quality ofservice parameters, or update sessions for roaming subscribers who havearrived from another S-GW. The GTP-C supports transport of controlpackets in Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) format.

GTP-U: Transports user data within the core GPRS network and between theradio access network (RAN) and the core network. The GTP-U supports IPv4and Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) user data, but transport is IPv4.

The GTP header (10) has the information related to tunnel endpointidentifier (TEID) information which indicates which UE's PDU session thepacket belongs to. The GTP-U header (10) and the TEID to identify apacket(s) to which the data belongs when it receives the packet areproposed by the 3GPP standard. The 3GPP standard proposed by the GTP-Uheader format (10) is shown in FIG. 1A.

Example scenarios for packet data flow (1000 a, 1000 b, 1000 c) in the4G/5^(th) generation (5G) cellular networks are illustrated in FIGS. 1Aand 1B. The 4G/5G cellular networks include a UEs (20), an eNB/gNB (30),an S-GW (40), a P-GW (50), and a PDN (60).

In the 4G cellular network: the S-GW (40), the P-GW (50), the eNB (30)are GTP-U node(s), where the GTP-U protocol is used for dataflow/transmission in between them. While in 5G cellular network, a UserPlane Function (UPF), the gNB (30) are the GTP-U node(s), where theGTP-U protocol is used for data flow/transmission in between them.

There are two types of data flow namely an uplink data flow and adownlink data flow for a PDU session of the UEs (20).

In the 4G cellular network: the uplink data flow (1000 a) from the UEs(20) towards the PDN (60) via the eNB (30), the S-GW (40), the P-GW(50). Furthermore, the downlink data flow (1000 b) from the PDN (60)towards the UEs (20) via the P-GW (50), the S-GW (40), and the eNB (30).

In 5G cellular network: the uplink data flow (1000 a) from the UEs (20)towards the PDN (60) via the gNB (30) and the UPF. Furthermore, thedownlink data flow (1000 b) from the PDN (60) towards the UEs (20) viathe UPF and the gNB (30).

Furthermore, there can be many UE's connected in the 4G/5G cellularnetworks, and there can be a maximum of 11 PDU sessions or bearer forthe UE (20). The eNB/gNB (30), the S-GW (40), the P-GW (50) caters dataservices to many UE's PDU sessions. In these above nodes (e.g., GTP-Unode(s)) as said, since there can be many UE's data flows, the TEIDsidentify the data to which UE's PDU session belongs. The TEIDs areallocated at the GTP-U node(s) per UE's PDU session. Every packet whichis transmitted between the GTP-U node(s), the GTP header added over apayload which is received for the UE's PDU session

For example, an application layer of the UEs (20) has a straightconnection with an application layer of the PDN (60). The Applicationlayer(s) is not changed or processed in between the eNB (30), the S-GW(40), the P-GW (50) as shown in the FIG. 1A (1000 c). When an uplinkpacket (1000 a) for the PDU session is received at the eNB (30) from theUEs (20) along with information (e.g., destination IP as internet IP andsource IP as UE IP), then the eNB (30) adds the GTP-U header withinformation related to the S-GW (40) (e.g., destination IP as S-GW IP,source IP as eNB IP, and TEID) and the eNB (30) forwards the sameinformation towards the S-GW (40). Further, the S-GW (40) removes theGTP-U header information received from the eNB (30), adds the GTP-Uheader information related to the P-GW (50) (e.g., destination IP asP-GW IP, source IP as S-GW IP, and TEID) and sends information towardsthe P-GW (50). Similarly, the P-GW (50) removes the GTP-U headerinformation and sends only the packet sent by the UEs (20) towards thePDN (60).

For a downlink packet (1000 b), which travels from the PDN (60) towardsthe UEs (20) along with information (e.g., destination IP as UE IP andsource IP as internet IP). The PDN (60) sends the information towardsthe P-GW (50). The P-GW (50) adds the GTP-U header information relatedto the S-GW (40) (e.g., destination IP as S-GW IP, source IP as P-GW IP,and TEID) and sends information towards the S-GW (40). The S-GW (40)removes the GTP-U header information received from the P-GW (50) andadds the GTP-U header information related to the eNB (20) (e.g.,destination IP as eNB IP, source IP as S-GW IP, and TEID) Similarly, theeNB (20) removes the GTP-U header information received from the S-GW(40) and sends only the packet that the PDN (60) has sent towards theUEs (20).

Furthermore, the packet data flow or application used by the UEs (20)can be classified into two types: a low latency application and a highlatency application. Alternatively, the applications used by the UEs(20) can be differentiated based on the application's latency needs asgiven below.

Low latency application: the latency requirements are very less andthere cannot any comprise in terms of latency.

High latency application: the latency requirements are very high andmake little difference if the packets are sent late.

In other terms, the packet data flow or application by the UEs (20) canbe classified into GBR packets and non-GBR packets.

GBR data packets: which travels via a bearer where there is a guaranteedservice, or in other words, where an evolved packet core (EPC) networkguarantees bit rate that can be delivered for it. Voice traffic is onesuch example that may be classified as the low latency application, asthe low latency application requires GBR service from the EPC network toensure that there is no delay in voice traffic.

Non-GBR data packets: which might require only a non-GBR bearer forpacket data flow/transmission. Internet of things (IoT) application datatraffic is one such example that may be classified as the high latencyapplication.

As previously stated, the GTP-U data packet transmission mechanism ofthe related art makes no distinction between the low latency packets(GBR data packets) and the high latency packets (non-GBR data packets).When the GTP-U node(s) receives a data packet for a PDU session, theGTP-U node(s) adds the necessary GTP-U header information and passes thesame information to a peer GTP-U node (s). Consider there is multiplehigh latency application-related payload related to different or same UEPDU session that needs to be transmitted from the source GTP-U nodetowards the target GTP-U node. The traditional way of transmission isthat even many GTP-U packets need to be transmitted between the sameGTP-U node at the same point of time each packet will be treatedseparately and the GTP-U header information will be added and sentindividually, which is wastage of cellular network resources.

For example, 1 to 1000 UE PDU sessions may exist at the S-GW (40), whichis linked to the same eNB (20) and the P-GW (50). The maximum number ofUE PDU sessions that may be handled at S-GW (40) is determined by vendorcompany design, and there is no capacity constraint enforced by 3GPP onthe S-GW (40). When the S-GW (40) receives an uplink data packet duringany PDU session, then the S-GW (40) removes the GTP-U header and addsthe GTP-U header information related to the P-GW (50) before sending theuplink data packet. IP header information and UDP header informationwill be identical for all packets transferred from the S-GW (40) to thesame eNB (20) or the P-GW (50). The GTP-U header will be different fordifferent PDU sessions, hence the GTP-U header is needed fortransmission, but IP header information and UDP header information willbe same if the data packets are sent between the same GTP-U Node. Butthe GTP-U data packet transmission mechanism of the related art adds theIP header information and UDP header information unnecessary for eachdata packet, which is the wastage of the cellular network resources.

Consider another example scenario for the GTP-U data packet transmissionmechanism of the related art, where the source GTP-U node receives thedata packets of various sizes from the multiple UEs with the samedestination address or directed towards the same target GTP-U node. Thesource GTP-U node can transmit the data packets up to 1500 bytes insize, but the source GTP-U node can only receive data packets up to 500bytes in size from multiple UEs. According to the GTP-U data packettransmission mechanism of the related art, the source GTP-U node sendsthe data packet instantly without buffering, which results inunderutilization of the cellular network's bandwidth. To conserve thecellular resources, an intelligent transmission method for the highlatency application is required, in which the GTP-U node(s) optimizebandwidth consumption while avoiding unnecessary immediate data packettransmission for the high latency application.

Accordingly, the embodiment herein is to provide a method for managingbandwidth in a wireless network based on a type of data packet. Themethod includes receiving, by a source general packet radio servicetunnelling protocol user (GTP-U) node, a data packet(s) from a userequipment (UE) in the wireless network. Further, the method includesdetermining, by the source GTP-U node, whether the received datapacket(s) is a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) data packet(s) or a non-GBRdata packet(s). Further, the method includes immediately transmitting,by the source GTP-U node, the received GBR data packet(s) to a targetGTP-U node. Further, the method includes storing, by the source GTP-Unode, the received non-GBR data packet(s) into a buffer beforetransmitting to the target GTP-U node. Further, the method includestransmitting, by the source GTP-U node, the received non-GBR datapacket(s) to the target GTP-U node based on a maximum segment size (MSS)of the buffer.

Accordingly, the embodiment herein is to provide the source GTP-U nodefor managing bandwidth in the wireless network based on the type of datapacket(s). The source GTP-U node includes a bandwidth controller coupledwith a processor and a memory. The bandwidth controller receives thedata packet(s) from the UE in the wireless network. Further, thebandwidth controller determines whether the received data packet(s) isthe GBR data packet(s) or the non-GBR data packet(s). Further, thebandwidth controller immediately transmits the received GBR datapacket(s) to the target GTP-U node. Further, the bandwidth controllerstores the received non-GBR data packet(s) into the buffer beforetransmitting to the target GTP-U node. Further, the bandwidth controllertransmits the received non-GBR data packet(s) to the target GTP-U nodebased on the MSS of the buffer.

Unlike methods and systems of the related art, the proposed methodallows the GTP-U node(s) to optimize bandwidth utilization duringgeneral packet radio service tunnelling protocol user (GTP-U) datapacket transmission in a wireless network by intelligently transmittingthe GBR data packet and/or the non-GBR data packet. The source GTP-Unode immediately transmits the GBR data packet to the target GTP-U nodeand the source GTP-U node transmits the non-GBR data packet based oneither the MSS for each buffer of the source GTP-U node or the timer foreach buffer of the source GTP-U node. The source GTP-U node includes aplurality of buffers, where each buffer corresponds to the target GTP-Unode. As a result, the GTP-U node(s) optimize bandwidth utilizationwhile avoiding needless immediate data packet transmission for thenon-GBR data packet (e.g., a high latency application) and conservescellular network resources.

Unlike methods and systems of the related art, the proposed methodallows the GTP-U node(s) to combine multiple GTP-U packets (e.g.,non-GBR data packet) in single GTP-U packet to avoid consumption of anInternet protocol (IP) header and a user datagram protocol (UDP) headerrepeatedly when the MSS is less than a pre-defined value (e.g., 1500byte).

Unlike methods and systems of the related art, the proposed methodallows the GTP-U node(s) to buffer the non-GBR data packet at the sourceGTP-U node which needs to be transmitted towards the same target GTP-Unode based on the MSS or the timer. The source GTP-U node then sends thenon-GBR data packet when a size of a combined GTP-U packets (i.e.,buffered non-GBR data packet of the related art and currently receivednon-GBR data packet) meets/crosses the MSS or the timer meets/crosses apre-defined maximum timer value. The pre-defined maximum timer value forbuffering the non-GBR data packet is determined by an artificialintelligence (AI) model/machine learning (ML).

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 2 through 4,where similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferredembodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system block diagram of a source GTP-U node foroptimizing bandwidth utilization during a GTP-U data packet transmissionin a wireless network according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, examples of the source GTP-U node (100) or a targetGTP-U node (200) include, but are not limited to a base station, E-UTRANNode B (eNB), gNodeB, a serving gateway (S-GW) and packet data network(PDN) gateway (P-GW), and mobility management entity (MME), or the like.Examples of a user equipment (UE) (300) include, but are not limited toa smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistance (PDA), anInternet of things (IoT) device, a wearable device, or the like.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the source GTP-U node (100) includesa memory (110), a processor (120), a communicator (130), a bandwidthcontroller (140), and a machine learning (ML) engine (150).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the memory (110) stores a datapacket(s), a maximum segment size (MSS) of each buffer, and apre-defined maximum timer value for each buffer. The memory (110) storesinstructions to be executed by the processor (120). The memory (110) mayinclude non-volatile storage elements. Examples of such non-volatilestorage elements may include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, floppydiscs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories(EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories. Inaddition, the memory (110) may, in some examples, be considered anon-transitory storage medium. The term “non-transitory” may indicatethat the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or apropagated signal. However, the term “non-transitory” should not beinterpreted that the memory (110) is non-movable. In some examples, thememory (110) can be configured to store larger amounts of informationthan the memory. In certain examples, a non-transitory storage mediummay store data that can, over time, change (e.g., in random accessmemory (RAM) or cache). The memory (110) can be an internal storage unitor it can be an external storage unit of the source GTP-U node (100), acloud storage, or any other type of external storage.

The processor (120) communicates with the memory (110), the communicator(130), the bandwidth controller (140), and the ML engine (150). Theprocessor (120) is configured to execute instructions stored in thememory (110) and to perform various processes. The processor (120) mayinclude one or a plurality of processors, maybe a general-purposeprocessor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), an applicationprocessor (AP), or the like, a graphics-only processing unit, such as agraphics processing unit (GPU), a visual processing unit (VPU), and/oran Artificial intelligence (AI) dedicated processor, such as a neuralprocessing unit (NPU).

The communicator (130) is configured for communicating internallybetween internal hardware components and with external devices (e.g., aneNodeB, a gNodeB, a server, a UE, or the like) via one or more networks(e.g., radio technology). The communicator (130) includes an electroniccircuit specific to a standard that enables wired or wirelesscommunication. The communicator (130) may be referred to as atransceiver.

The bandwidth controller (140) is implemented by processing circuitry,such as logic gates, integrated circuits, microprocessors,microcontrollers, memory circuits, passive electronic components, activeelectronic components, optical components, hardwired circuits, or thelike, and may optionally be driven by firmware. The circuits may, forexample, be embodied in one or more semiconductor chips, or on substratesupports, such as printed circuit boards, and the like. In someembodiments, the bandwidth controller (140) is included in the processor(120). The operations of the bandwidth controller (140) are alsounderstood as operations executed by the processor (120).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the bandwidth controller (140)receives the data packet(s) from the UE (300) and/or other networkentity (e.g., a server) in the wireless network. The bandwidthcontroller (140) then determines whether the received data packet(s) isa guaranteed bit rate (GBR) data packet(s) or a non-GBR data packet(s).The bandwidth controller (140) then immediately transmits the receivedGBR data packet(s) to the target GTP-U node (200) and stores thereceived non-GBR data packet(s) into a buffer (internal storage unit orcan be an external storage unit) before transmitting to the target GTP-Unode (200). The bandwidth controller (140) then transmits the receivednon-GBR data packet(s) to the target GTP-U node (200) based on the MSSof the buffer. Each node (e.g., source GTP-U node (100)) includes aplurality of buffers, where each buffer corresponds to the target GTP-Unode (200), where the target GTP-U node (200) is connected with thesource GTP-U node (100).

The bandwidth controller (140) detects a plurality of received non-GBRdata packet(s) of the received non-GBR data packet(s) transmit towardssame target GTP-U node (e.g., 200 a) of the target GTP-U node (200). Thebandwidth controller (140) then combines the received non-GBR datapacket(s) with existing buffered non-GBR data packet(s) beforetransmitting the received non-GBR data packet(s) to the target GTP-Unode (200). The bandwidth controller (140) then determines whether asize of combined non-GBR data packet(s) meets the MSS. The bandwidthcontroller (140) then transmits the combined non-GBR data packet(s) tothe target GTP-U node (200) in response to determining that the size ofthe combined non-GBR data packet(s) meets the MSS or continuouslymonitors the buffer in response to determining that the size of thecombined non-GBR data packet(s) does not reach the MSS.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the bandwidth controller (140)initiates the timer for each buffer. The bandwidth controller (140) thendetermines whether the timer meets the pre-defined maximum timer valuefor the received non-GBR data packet(s). The bandwidth controller (140)then transmits the buffered non-GBR data packet(s) to the target GTP-Unode (200), in response to determining that the timer meets thepre-defined maximum timer value or continuously monitors the buffer inresponse to determining that the buffer does not reach the pre-definedmaximum timer value.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the bandwidth controller (140)determines the pre-defined maximum timer value for buffering the non-GBRdata packet(s) based on the ML engine (150).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the bandwidth controller (140)configures a plurality of buffers, where each buffer of the plurality ofbuffers includes a pre-defined MSS. As an example, according to the3GPP, each QoS class identifier (QCI) has different latencyrequirements. To buffer the data packet(s) based on the QCI, differentbuffering times will be used for different QCI based on their latency.For example, QCI-5 has a latency of 100 ms according to the 3GPP, so thebuffering time can be 50-75 ms. Furthermore, to begin, the bufferingtime manually sets based on the latency described above. After gatheringenough data, the source GTP-U node (100) uses, for an example, a randomforest method to find the pre-defined maximum timer value for bufferingthe data packet(s).

The ML engine (150) may be implemented through an artificialintelligence (AI) model. A function associated with AI may be performedthrough the non-volatile memory, the volatile memory, and the processor.One or a plurality of processors control the processing of the inputdata (e.g., image frame(s)) in accordance with a predefined operatingrule or AI model stored in the non-volatile memory and the volatilememory. The predefined operating rule or artificial intelligence modelis provided through training or learning. Here, being provided throughlearning means that, by applying a learning mechanism to a plurality oflearning data, a predefined operating rule or AI model of a desiredcharacteristic is made. The learning may be performed in a device itselfin which AI according to an embodiment is performed, and/o may beimplemented through a separate server/system. The AI model may consistof a plurality of neural network layers. Each layer has a plurality ofweight values, and performs a layer operation through calculation of aprevious layer and an operation of a plurality of weights.

Examples of neural networks include, but are not limited to,convolutional neural network (CNN), deep neural network (DNN), recurrentneural network (RNN), restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), deep beliefnetwork (DBN), bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN),generative adversarial networks (GAN), and deep Q-networks. The learningmechanism is a method for training a predetermined target device (forexample, a robot) using a plurality of learning data to cause, allow, orcontrol the target device to make a determination or prediction.Examples of learning algorithms include, but are not limited to,supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, orreinforcement learning.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates various hardware components of the sourceGTP-U node (100) but it is to be understood that other embodiments arenot limited thereon. In other embodiments of the disclosure, the sourceGTP-U node (100) may include less or more number of components. Further,the labels or names of the components are used only for illustrativepurpose and does not limit the scope of the disclosure. One or morecomponents can be combined to perform the same or substantially similarfunction to manage the bandwidth in the wireless network based on thetype of data packet(s).

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram (300) illustrating a method for optimizingbandwidth utilization during a GTP-U data packet(s) transmission in awireless network according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the source GTP-U node (100) performs variousoperations (301-305) to manage bandwidth in the wireless network.

At operation 301, the method includes receiving the data packet(s) fromthe UE (300) or other network entity in the wireless network. Atoperation 302, the method includes determining whether the received datapacket is the GBR data packet(s) or the non-GBR data packet(s). Atoperation 303, the method includes immediately transmitting the receivedGBR data packet(s) to the target GTP-U node (200). At operation 304, themethod includes storing the received non-GBR data packet(s) into thebuffer before transmitting to the target GTP-U node. At operation 305,the method includes transmitting the received non-GBR data packet(s) tothe target GTP-U node based on the MSS of the buffer or the timer of thebuffer.

The various actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the flowdiagram (300) may be performed in the order presented, in a differentorder or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments of the disclosure,some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted,added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scopeof the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a protocol stack of a GTP-U packet (400) foroptimizing bandwidth utilization during a GTP-U data packet(s)transmission in a wireless network according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, in general, if the data packet(s) meets the UE(300) or the PDN a few milliseconds later, it is not a concern for thehigh latency application. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the sourceGTP-U node (100) buffers the high-latency application-related packets(GBR data packet) for a few milliseconds until the MSS between the twoGTPU nodes (e.g., 100 a, 100 b) is reached, after which the IP/UDPheader information is added, by the bandwidth controller (140), andtransmitted by the source GTP-U node.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the source GTP-U node (100) eitherwait for the configured time or send the data packet(s) to the targetGTP-U node (200) when the buffer meets the MSS. If either of theseconditions is met, the data packet(s) will be sent to the target GTP-Unode (100).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the source GTP-U node (100)maintains individual buffers for each target GTP-U node (200), andanytime the high latency or the non-GBR data packet needs to beforwarded to the target GTP-U node (200), the buffer associated withthat target GTP-U node (200) is used by the source GTP-U node (100).

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the source GTP-U node (100) combinesthe payload or the data packet(s) of different or same subscriber's PDUsession and sends them between/to the target GTP-U node(s) (200). Theproposed method is applicable only for the high latency data packet orthe non-GBR data packet(s).

For example, if ‘N’ is the number of data packet(s) that can be combinedand sent between the target GTP-U node(s) (200) per second, then amountof data that can be saved is depicted by a below Equation 1.

(N−1)*(A+B)  Equation 1

Where ‘A’ indicates an IP header size and ‘B’ indicates a UDP headersize. The IP header size varies based on whether IPv4 header or IPv6header, in general 20 bytes of data uses for the IPv4 header and 40bytes of data uses for the IPv6 header. A UDP header size is of 8 bytes.

The embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein can be implementedusing at least one hardware device and performing network managementfunctions to control the elements.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference tovarious embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for communication by a source generalpacket radio service tunnelling protocol user (GTP-U) node in a wirelessnetwork, the method comprising: receiving at least one data packet fromat least one user equipment (UE); determining whether the at least onereceived data packet is at least one guaranteed bit rate (GBR) datapacket or at least one non-GBR data packet; if the at least one receiveddata packet is the at least one GBR data packet, transmitting the atleast one received GBR data packet to at least one target GTP-U node; ifthe at least one received data packet is the at least one non-GBR datapacket, storing the at least one received non-GBR data packet into abuffer before transmitting to the at least one target GTP-U node; andtransmitting the at least one received non-GBR data packet to the atleast one target GTP-U node based on a maximum segment size (MSS) of thebuffer.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the at least onereceived non-GBR data packet to the at least one target GTP-U node basedon the MSS of the buffer comprises: detecting a plurality of receivednon-GBR data packet of the at least one received non-GBR data packettransmitted towards same target GTP-U node of the at least one targetGTP-U node; combining the at least one received non-GBR data packet withexisting buffered non-GBR data packet before transmitting the at leastone received non-GBR data packet to the at least one target GTP-U node;determining whether a size of combined non-GBR data packet meets theMSS; and performing one of: transmitting the combined non-GBR datapacket to the at least one target GTP-U node in response to determiningthat the size of the combined non-GBR data packet meets the MSS, orcontinuously monitoring the buffer in response to determining that thesize of the combined non-GBR data packet does not meet the MSS.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each node comprises a plurality of buffersand each buffer corresponds to the at least one target GTP-U node, andwherein the at least one target GTP-U node is connected with the sourceGTP-U node.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: initiating atimer for each buffer; determining whether the timer meets a pre-definedmaximum timer value for the at least one received non-GBR data packet;and performing one of: transmitting the buffered non-GBR data packet tothe at least one target GTP-U node in response to determining that thetimer meets the pre-defined maximum timer value, or continuouslymonitoring the buffer in response to determining that the buffer doesnot meet the pre-defined maximum timer value.
 5. The method of claim 4,further comprising: determining the pre-defined maximum timer value forbuffering the non-GBR data packet based on at least one artificialintelligence (AI) model.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:configuring a plurality of buffers, wherein each buffer of the pluralityof buffers comprises a pre-defined MSS.
 7. A source general packet radioservice tunnelling protocol user (GTP-U) node for communication in awireless network, the source GTP-U node comprising: a memory; and atleast one processor coupled to the memory, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to: receive at least one data packet from atleast one user equipment (UE), determine whether the at least onereceived data packet is at least one guaranteed bit rate (GBR) datapacket or at least one non-GBR data packet, if the at least one receiveddata packet is the at least one GBR data packet, transmit the at leastone received GBR data packet to at least one target GTP-U node, if theat least one received data packet is the at least one non-GBR datapacket, store the at least one received non-GBR data packet into abuffer before transmitting to the at least one target GTP-U node, andtransmit the at least one received non-GBR data packet to the at leastone target GTP-U node based on a maximum segment size (MSS) of thebuffer.
 8. The source GTP-U node of claim 7, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to: detect a plurality of receivednon-GBR data packet of the at least one received non-GBR data packettransmitted towards same target GTP-U node of the at least one targetGTP-U node, combine the at least one received non-GBR data packet withexisting buffered non-GBR data packet before transmitting the at leastone received non-GBR data packet to the at least one target GTP-U node,determine whether a size of combined non-GBR data packet meets the MSS,and perform one of: transmitting the combined non-GBR data packet to theat least one target GTP-U node in response to determining that the sizeof the combined non-GBR data packet meets the MSS, or continuouslymonitoring the buffer in response to determining that the size of thecombined non-GBR data packet does not meet the MSS.
 9. The source GTP-Unode of claim 7, wherein each node comprises a plurality of buffers andeach buffer corresponds to the at least one target GTP-U node, andwherein the at least one target GTP-U node is connected with the sourceGTP-U node.
 10. The source GTP-U node of claim 7, wherein the at leastone processor is further configured to: initiate a timer for eachbuffer; determine whether the timer meets a pre-defined maximum timervalue for the at least one received non-GBR data packet; and perform oneof: transmitting the buffered non-GBR data packet to the at least onetarget GTP-U node in response to determining that the timer meets thepre-defined maximum timer value, or continuously monitoring the bufferin response to determining that the buffer does not meet the pre-definedmaximum timer value.
 11. The source GTP-U node of claim 10, wherein theat least one processor is further configured to: determine thepre-defined maximum timer value for buffering the non-GBR data packetbased on at least one artificial intelligence (AI) model.
 12. The sourceGTP-U node of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to: configure a plurality of buffers, wherein each buffer ofthe plurality of buffers comprises a pre-defined MSS.
 13. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store oneor more computer programs including instructions that, when executed byat least one processor of a source general packet radio servicetunnelling protocol user (GTP-U) node in a wireless network, cause theGTP-U node to perform operations comprising: receiving at least one datapacket from at least one user equipment (UE), determining whether the atleast one received data packet is at least one guaranteed bit rate (GBR)data packet or at least one non-GBR data packet, if the at least onereceived data packet is the at least one GBR data packet, transmittingthe at least one received GBR data packet to at least one target GTP-Unode, if the at least one received data packet is the at least onenon-GBR data packet, storing the at least one received non-GBR datapacket into a buffer before transmitting to the at least one targetGTP-U node, and transmitting the at least one received non-GBR datapacket to the at least one target GTP-U node based on a maximum segmentsize (MSS) of the buffer.
 14. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium of claim 13, wherein transmitting the at least onereceived non-GBR data packet to the at least one target GTP-U node basedon the MSS of the buffer comprises: detecting a plurality of receivednon-GBR data packet of the at least one received non-GBR data packettransmitted towards same target GTP-U node of the at least one targetGTP-U node; combining the at least one received non-GBR data packet withexisting buffered non-GBR data packet before transmitting the at leastone received non-GBR data packet to the at least one target GTP-U node;determining whether a size of combined non-GBR data packet meets theMSS; and performing one of: transmitting the combined non-GBR datapacket to the at least one target GTP-U node in response to determiningthat the size of the combined non-GBR data packet meets the MSS, orcontinuously monitoring the buffer in response to determining that thesize of the combined non-GBR data packet does not meet the MSS.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, whereineach node comprises a plurality of buffers and each buffer correspondsto the at least one target GTP-U node, and wherein the at least onetarget GTP-U node is connected with the source GTP-U node.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein theoperations further comprises: initiating a timer for each buffer;determining whether the timer meets a pre-defined maximum timer valuefor the at least one received non-GBR data packet; and performing oneof: transmitting the buffered non-GBR data packet to the at least onetarget GTP-U node in response to determining that the timer meets thepre-defined maximum timer value, or continuously monitoring the bufferin response to determining that the buffer does not meet the pre-definedmaximum timer value.
 17. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprises:determining the pre-defined maximum timer value for buffering thenon-GBR data packet based on at least one artificial intelligence (AI)model.
 18. The non-transitory of claim 13, wherein the operationsfurther comprises: configuring a plurality of buffers, wherein eachbuffer of the plurality of buffers comprises a pre-defined MSS.